BIG RED THE FOX

BIG RED THE FOX

A RHYME OR TWO JUST FOR YOU

By Ladd Castle

There once was a fox that lived in a box. His name was Big Red, and on rabbits he fed. Out of the box at night he would pounce, he chewed, and he ate till there was not an ounce.

Then came a night when the moon was so bright. That all of the rabbits abiding could see where Big Red was a-hiding. Though the rabbits were many the fox could not catch any. Here ran a rabbit and there ran a hare, soon old Big Red did not even care. He missed a meal to his left and one to his right. The ragged old fox was a heck of a sight.

He sat and he pondered, then he thought, and he wondered, “I’ll build me a trap” he screamed with delight, “I will catch me a rabbit before they take flight. But who do I know who will teach me the skill, to build a good trap and catch a fresh kill? I will ask the black crow and surely, he will know how I can proceed to accomplish this deed.

“How about this black crow, I want you to show, how a trap can be built if only thou wilt.”

The crow was amiss with emotion, the rabbits were friends with devotion. The bunny trails ran through the bushes and brambles they would cause berries to fall with all of their tramples. With joy and elation, the crow would then feed, sometimes exceeding his incredible need. “No, I won’t do it! I won’t show you how.” The crow gave his answer and then left with a bow.

“Now what shall you do,” screeched the Nite Owl from high up a tree. “I have no friends, why don’t you ask me? I will show you how to build a good trap with a sneaky trick, all you will need is a string and a stick.”

“Why would you help me” Big Red was aware. “We always compete for the diet we share.”

“I too, need a friend” hooted the Owl. “Nobody likes me, not nary a fowl.”

“Well wise old owl, pray tell me dag-nab-it, how do I build a good trap to catch me a rabbit?”

The Nite Owl fluffed his feathers really quite well, then leaned close to Big Red, just so to tell. “Pry up your box with a great big, strong, stick be sure to be careful, that its a good one you pick. Inside the box, you must bait it with clover. Tie the string to the stick, now your work is over. Rabbits galore in the box they will pour. You can catch two or three and sometimes catch four.

When you set up the trap then you will know that I am a wise owl, and we know what we know.”

Big Red thanked the Nite Owl with a yip and a howl, then scurried home with sly-full glee, stopping once or twice for slapping his knee.

“The traps construction is the owl’s own design, I got me a box that will do me just fine. Now for a test to know it will work.” While still in the box the string he did jerk. Down came the box with a horrible slap, trapping Big Red in the terrible trap.

He tried and he cried but he could not get out, while all of the rabbits danced around and about. No one ever knew what happened that day, everyone thought Big Red moved away.

If you walk in the woods and find a big box, do not look inside, it could be the Red Fox. He will woo you and coo you trying to win, only to eat you if you give in.

Ta Ta, Ladd